Simpson and Brown, one of Scotland’s leading firms in conservation architecture, has been appointed to work in collaboration with Historic Scotland to prepare a guide on how to restore castles and tower-houses as part of the Agency’s Scottish Castles Initiative. The contract to co-produce the text was awarded by Historic Scotland following a tender process which attracted entries from architectural firms throughout the UK and beyond. Historic Scotland and Simpson and Brown will now prepare the guide which will outline the best conservation practices and act as a resource pack for prospective owners and developers. The guide will also contain the best examples of historic building restoration in Scotland.

A park and ride scheme is being introduced to provide visitors with an easy and comfortable way to reach Stirling Castle. The project is a joint initiative between Historic Scotland and Stirling Council, with the buses provided by Hunters Executive Coaches. The service will run, Monday to Saturday, from 1st to 31st of August from the Castleview Park and Ride, off Junction 10 of the M9.

Threave Castle is an impressive Medieval island fortress while the nearby Threave House is a great Scottish Baronial mansion set in acres of beautiful gardens.
From now until the end of September visitors can enjoy both on a single money-saving ticket thanks to a special arrangement between Historic Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland.

Fort George, the country’s mightiest military fortification, this weekend hosts a two-day spectacular event highlighting military life through the ages. ‘Forces at the Fort’ - from 12.30pm to 4.30pm on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd August - offers an action-packed, varied programme featuring soldiers from past eras. One of the highlights (weather permitting!) will be awe-inspiring formation parachute drops by Scotland’s only professional parachute display team, the Golden Lions. The precision aerial skills of this specialist army team never fail to impress so visitors have a treat in store.

A special online gallery has been launched by Historic Scotland to celebrate our national heritage.
The public are being invited to submit photographs they have taken at any of the 345 castles, abbeys, palaces, stone circles and other properties in the agency’s care.